Some Highlights of Surveys of Homelessness in Calgary

1. Some Highlights of Surveys of Homelessness in Calgary Date: May 15, 2002 Definition & Methodology Findings: Year:1996 199820002002 Tot. Count: 615 988 1296 1737 Street Count: 15 38 168 117 In 2002: (Note – increased shelter capacity of 288) • 42 families, incl. 59 children under age 13 & 56 teens age 13 to 17 60% of families were in women’s shelters • 38 seniors age 65 & over • 84% men • Over-rep’n of aboriginals (@ 15%), esp. in street count (over 1/3) • Under-rep’n of VisMins (@ 11%) but growing • Large increase in number of families.

2. Homelessness in Edmonton • Survey date: Sept. 14, 2000 • Total Homeless: 1160 persons (up from 836 in March 1999) incl.: 64 families (with 146 children under age 15) Males: 69% Aboriginals: 40%

3. Causes of Homelessness • Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing • De-institutionalization of Mental Patients • Parent Child Conflict & Abuse: Runaways • Low Minimum Wage (see next slide)

4. Current and PlannedMinimum Wage Ratesin Canadian Provinces • Province Wage Effective Date Rank • Nfld. $6.00 Nov. 1, 2002 9 • N.B. $6.00 Aug. 1, 2002 9 • Nova Scotia $6.00 Oct. 1, 2002 9 • P.E.I. $6.25 Jan. 1, 2003 7 • P.E.I. $6.50 Jan. 1, 2004 -- • P.E.I. $6.80 Jan. 1, 2005 -- • Quebec $7.30 Feb. 1, 2003 2 • Ontario $6.85 Jan. 1, 1995 4 • Manitoba $6.75 April 1, 2003 5 • Sask. $6.65 Nov. 1, 2002 6 • Alberta $5.90 Oct. 1, 1999 11 • Yukon $7.20 Oct. 1, 1998 3 • B.C. $8.00 1

5. Causes of Homelessness • Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing • De-institutionalization of Mental Patients • Parent Child Conflict & Abuse: Runaways • Low Minimum Wage (see previous slide) • Inadequate Income Supports for the Working Poor • Social Assistance Cuts (See next slide)

6. Changes in Social Assistance Benefits in Alberta, 1986-2001

7. Welfare Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Line, By Family Type, Alberta, 2001 Category Welfare Welfare as Benefits % of Poverty Line Single Employable $5,030 27% Person With a Disability $7,596 40% Single Parent, One Child $11,619 49% Couple with 2 Children $18,395 52% Source: Canadian Council on Social Development. www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/fs_ncwp101.htm

8. The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank Organizational Philosophy • All people seeking our help should be treated with compassion, dignity, and understanding. • Our clients deserve the highest quality foods that are possible for us to provide. • The best way to meet hunger needs is in collaboration with others who share our common purpose. • The spirit of volunteerism is our strength and our primary resource. • We are accountable to our community for the programs and services we deliver.

9. Some Facts About The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank • One of 615 food banks in Canada • Goal: to provide a nutritionally balanced hamper to feed a family for one week. • Availability: - screening for need - max. of 6 hampers per year - max. of 1 hamper per month • Volume in 2000: - $10 million in food - $2.5 million in funds - 44,000 hampers for 127,000 people • Staff - 65,000 hours of volunteers’ time - 35 full-time staff • Quote: You are all just 1-2 paycheques away from being a Food Bank client

10. Primary Sources of Income for Clients of Calgary Interfaith Food Bank • 39% Wage (Working Poor) • 25% Social Assistance • 12% None • 8% AISH • 6% Other • 4% EI • 3% Pension • 2% Student Finance • 1% WCB